ETUNOLOGY OF THE PRESENT DAY. 263 



pais, Mecos, Carancahuas, Cuchatles (the latter in Texas). They all 

 differ from the Shoshonees and Canianches. 



O. The Nations of the Plateau of Mexico, with the districts adjoining 

 it on the north, and on the south, as far as the Isthmus of Panama. 

 A. von Humboldt, whom we here follow, assumes that at present the Indians 

 of pure blood still constitute more than two fifths of the population, and in 

 some provinces, as for example in the states of Puebla and Oaxaca, even 

 two thirds. 



The principal languages are the Aztec, the most widely spread of all, the 

 Otomie, Matlazing, Tarask, Pirinda, Zapoteca, Mixteca, Popoluca, Mixe, 

 Maya, Poconchi, Huasteca, Totonac, Cora, Huitcole, Tepehuana, Topias, 

 Acaxee, Xixema, Sicuraba, Hina, Huimi, Tubar, Tarahumara, Zuaque, 

 Guiama, Guazave, Zoe, Huite, Opata, Pima, Eudebe, Yaqui, Caquikil, 

 Chontal, and the Orotina. 



In general, the Mexican Indian resembles those inhabiting Canada and 

 Florida, Peru and Brazil. He has the same dark brown and copper color, 

 even and smooth hair, deficient beard ; his stature is thick-set, the eye 

 long and turned up towards the temple ; the cheek bones are prominent, 

 and the lips thick ; but in his mouth are expressed a mildness and a gentle- 

 ness that contrast strangely with the gloomy, stern expression of the eye. 

 The Mexican Indians are, however, of darker complexion than the inhabit- 

 ants of the hottest countries of South America ; they have a stronger 

 growth of beard, also, especially the Aztecs and Otomites. Almost all the 

 Indians in the environs of the metropolis wear small mustachios. The 

 Indians who are under European authority, as peaceable farmers, univer- 

 sally attain an advanced age, if the fondness for drinking, so customary 

 amongst them, does not enfeeble their systems. Their intoxicating drinks 

 are spirits made of sugar cane, maize, and the Yatropha root, and especially 

 pulque, a wine prepared from the American aloe (century plant). 



In the Mexican Indian have been remarked neither that variability of 

 emotions, gestures, and features, exhibited by most of the Indians of North 

 America, nor that activity of mind which so advantageously distinguishes 

 the latter. He is serious, melancholy, taciturn, as long as he is not affected 

 by spirituous liquors. He likes to be somewhat mysterious, even in his 

 most indifferent actions ; the strongest passions are never expressed upon 

 his countenance, and it is frightful to see him suddenly change from 

 absolute repose to violent and unbridled emotion. The Peruvian has more 

 gentleness in his manners ; the energy of the Mexican degenerates into 

 roughness. The music and dancing of the Indians exhibit the total want 

 of cheerfulness which characterizes them, and may be observed also in the 

 whole of South America. Their singing breathes sadness and dejection. 

 Women display more liveliness than men, but labor under the misfortune 

 of subjection and of servitude, to which the female sex is doomed in all 

 nations that have made but trifling advances in civilization. Females 

 do not participate in the dance ; they assist at this amusement of the men, 

 only for the purpose of foretasting the spirituous drinks prepared by them. 

 The Mexicans have preserved a peculiar taste for painting, and sculpture 



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